Mary’s 100 reasons for big celebration

Mary Harwood, sporting the card she received from the Queen to mark her 100th birthday with staff at the home.

Mary Harwood has spent most of her life putting others first, but was star of the show when she celebrated her 100th birthday at a party with friends.

Born just after the outbreak of the First World War in Yorkshire on August 24, 1914, Mary grew up an only child.

After school she travelled to Morecambe and married Jack Beaumont, a talented curler. The couple moved to Fulwood, first living in Cadley Causeway and then in Greystock Avenue.

Mary worked at Kerr’s in Preston, and began helping out with the Women’s Royal Voluntary Service, something she did for 40 years, as well as assisting with meals on wheels.

In later years she and Jack moved to South Grove, Barton, where she later lived on her own, following Jack’s death.

In Barton she became an active member of the Women’s Institute, gaining a wide circle of friends.

At the age of 82, Mary met and married Ben Harwood, the secretary of the then Royal Lancashire Show, and she travelled with him to judge horses, ponies and traps at various competitions.

Mary and Ben moved to Peartree Cottage in White Horse Hall, Barton, and then to Garstang.

Since Ben’s death, Mary has moved to Bowers Wood Care Home in Nateby, where she was given a special birthday treat at the weekend.

A spokesman for the home said: “We put on a buffet, Mary received a card from the Queen, and there was a singer performing war and post-war songs, that everyone joined in with. Mary had a wonderful time.”